Situational Drills to Improve Your Court Awareness
It’s not just about fast feet or strong shots. The smartest players move with purpose because they see the court differently. They sense where points are headed. They shift early, stay balanced, and know what’s coming before it happens. Court awareness is the invisible skill that ties everything together.
Photo Credit: The APP
These drills are designed to sharpen your instincts, improve reaction time, and help you anticipate movement around the court. Most importantly, they train you to track what’s happening across the entire court, not just on your side of the net.
1. Shadow Drill – Read & React to Your Partner
What it Looks Like:
Two players on one side of the court. One player (the leader) plays out a rally against two opponents. The second player (the follower) shadows their partner’s movements without hitting the ball.
Focus Points:
Understand where your partner moves and why
Learn when to slide, cover, or hold position
Watch how the rally evolves in real-time
The Goal:
This drill builds your partner awareness and court instincts without the distraction of the ball. You’ll learn to anticipate play and understand how your teammate moves – positionally and in pace. Shadowing sharpens your ability to support your partner more intuitively.
2. Open Court – Anticipate the Next Shot
What it looks like:
Play live doubles points. After each point, pause and ask both teams:
“Where was the open space and why?”
What You’re Training:
Spatial and pattern awareness
Shot anticipation and smarter decision-making
A mental map of the court based on opponent tendencies
The Goal:
You are now predicting your shots instead of just reacting. This drill helps you recognize patterns, anticipate shot selection, and behind sequencing your responses more strategically.
3. Call the Bounce – Commit to Observation
What it Looks Like:
During points, the non-hitting partner calls out exactly where the ball lands:
“Deep middle,” “short cross,” “on the line.”
Variation:
Call out the shot type before it bounces:
“Lob,” “drop,” “drive.”
What you're training:
Active visual engagement
Faster shot recognition
Clear in-point communication
The Goal:
Train your brain to observe early and often. Seeing the ball clearly – and naming what you see – helps you play more proactively, whether you’re defending or setting up an attack.
4. The Magnet
What it looks like:
While dinking (all 4 at the kitchen line), train your brain to believe every ball is coming to you. Picture an invisible magnet at the top of your paddle, always pulling toward the ball.
Focus Points:
Tracking the ball like it’s headed for your paddle
Reading opponent cues faster
Keeping a calm, ready position
The Goal:
This drill trains your reaction time and paddle discipline. By expecting the ball and keeping your paddle out front, you’ll be faster and more controlled in every exchange.
Train the Brain, Not Just the Body
Court awareness doesn’t just appear. It’s built through mindful reps, match-like drills, and a constant feedback loop between what you see and how you move.
These drills are designed to train more than your muscles – they sharpen your eyes, your mind, and your instincts. Rotate a few into your regular routine and you’ll start noticing:
Sharper decisions
Better partner connection
Smarter, more predictive play
You’ll start to see the next shot before it happens. And that’s where the real advantage begins.